Templar structures in Czech lands
Administration of the Templar Order
In 1227 the first Priory Aleman for the Central Europe (Germany, Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia).
The original Priory Aleman changes into Grand Priory during the 13th century thanks to the internal growth of the Order. Under the Grand Priory three Priories (national Commanderies) were established in the early 14th century for the German territories:
- Priory for the North East Europe (Poland, Pomerania and Brandenburg).
- Priory for Bohemia, Moravia (Silesia) and Austria.
- Priory for Rheinland.
Since 1227 Knights Templar in the Czech lands had been subjected directly to Aleman Grand Priory, then approximately since 1290 to Priory for Bohemia, Moravia and Austria which had been subordinate to the Aleman Grand Priory.
Individual residences were subjected to Priories governed by Prior. Commanderies governed by Commander were established in larger residences. Baliviats ruled by Bailiers functioned as a link between a Priory and Commandery in some countries. In our lands, however, Bailivats were not established because of the relatively small number of Knights Templar.
Time line of Templar administration in Europe
1227 | Aleman Priory for Central Europe |
1227 | Fr. Gebhard, Preceptor Allemaie (Central Europe) |
1251 | Fr. Johannes, Magistro summo preceptore milicie Templi per Teutoniam, per Boemiam, per Morauiam et per Poloniam (Knight Jan) |
1253 | Grand Priory Aleman for Central Europe in Braunschweig |
1253 | Fr. Wedekind, Magister per Alemanniam et Slauiam (Brother Widekind) |
1280 | R de Grae`ubius Preceptor domorum milicie Templi per Alemanniam et Slavia |
1287 | Fridericus de Silvester, velkopreceptor w Niemczech i Sławii |
1294 | Berthramus dictus de Czweck (preceptor Niemiec, Sławii i Morawii) 1. Superior of Ekko (Bertram of Esbeck) |
1301 | Friedrich von Alvensleben, the last Prior Alemannien und Slawien |
1310 | Hugo Gumbach, Grand master of Germany |
1294 | Priory for Bohemia, Moravia and Austria |
1244 | Commander in Moravia at the Court of Austrian Duke Friedrich II der Streitbare |
1294 | Fr. Ekko, Comendator provincialis per Bohemian, Moraviam et Austriam 1292 Commander of Cejkovice 1297 master militiae Totius Bohemiae et Moraviae 1302 commendator provinzialis per Bohemiam, Moraviam et Austriam 1308 magister ordinis Templi per Boemiam et Moraviam |
Commanders of the Czech lands
1231 | Petr Berka of Duba and Lippa, Commander, Prague |
1244 | Fr. Fridrich, Commander, Moravia |
1267 | Fr. Sulislav, Commander, Prague |
1285 | Fr. Bertold of Gepzenstein, Commander, Prague, councillor of Wenceslas II |
1290 | Fr. Siegfried, Commander, South Moravia |
1292 | Ekko, Commander of Cejkovice and Uhrineves“In 1294 the Templar Order that came to Bohemia in 1232 is commemorated in Cejkovice. Ekko, Commander of Cejkovice and Urhineves sold the village of Vodochody to Bishop of Prague for kontur 200 Tallents of silver in 1294.” |
1298 | Fr. Detřich, Commander, Templestain |